The Malaysia Preliminary Round of this year’s Orbifold Global Music Competition was held at SEGi University in Kota Damansara, on 10 June 2023 from 9.30 AM till 1.30 PM. This competition was among the first few live music competitions of the year.
The Orbifold Global Music Competition’s inclusive nature encourages participation by not being confined to only classical or popular music; and caters to all musicians, whether professional or amateur, between the ages of six to thirty-two, who either sing or play the piano or string instruments.
This effort was a collaboration between SEGi University and OSE Off Staves Ensemble, whose Music Director, Frederick Chaw, is a SEGi music alumni. During his study at SEGi, Chaw’s musical abilities impressed the visiting President of Hansei University, who offered him a full scholarship to complete his Master of Music at Hansei University, Korea. Upon his return from his studies in Korea, Chaw joined the SEGi academic team, while being actively involved in many musical groups and activities.
Malaysia’s proud hosting of the Worldwide Preliminary Rounds of the Orbifold Global Music Competition saw the participation of twenty-eight talented contestants, attended by their family and friends, their dedicated music teachers, and enthusiastic members of the public.
The panel of judges was led by Datuk Mustafa Fuzer Nawi (Music Director of Malaysian National Arts Theatre and the former Conductor of the Nasional Symphony Orchestra of Malaysia), and included Ng Jin Keat (Co-Founder and Director of The Singerholics) and Esther Ong (Music Programme Leader of SEGi College Subang Jaya).
The competition’s objectives of providing a live platform for musicians to showcase their musical talents, promoting musical excellence, and inspiring the development of new talents, were all well met during the competition. This event also helped to identify promising young musicians who may go on to have successful careers in music.
Three of the gold-prize winners of this Malaysia Preliminary Rounds have indicated their intention to go for the final round of the Orbifold Music Competition and Festival in Los Angeles this July. We wish them all the best for the learning exposure and global competition experience.
SEGi University and Colleges is strongly committed to providing a concrete pathway to superior education for eager minds and natural talents, and to maximise unique potential. We also provide scholarships to talented musicians to help them realise their dreams for a successful career in music.
Muhammad Rizki Ikhsan, a talented cellist who won the SEGi International Music Competition in 2019, is one such recipient of SEGi’s music scholarships, which has since brought him invaluable musical experiences, such as being invited to Melbourne and playing with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Jakarta City Orchestra, and many other notable international events.
